C–C couplings in water by micellar catalysis at low loadings from a recyclable polymer-supported Pd(ii)–NHC nanocatalyst

Abstract

A specifically devised amphiphilic star-like polymer-supported Pd(II)–NHC₂ unit (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) enables highly efficient micellar catalysis in pure water. An amphiphilic block copolymer carrying benzimidazolium moieties randomly distributed along the hydrophobic block is precisely synthesized by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Addition of Pd(OAc)₂ followed by nanoprecipitation in water drives the metal–ligand coordination core-crosslinking reaction and the segregation of Pd–NHC₂ units in the hydrophobic core to form robust polymeric micelles. This approach confers multiple advantages to both the Suzuki–Miyaura and Heck cross-coupling reactions, including robustness, almost no metal leaching, low catalyst loadings (0.1 mol% rel. to the substrate), easy recycling, very broad substrate scope and exceptionally high catalytic activity in water.